Joys and crises interspersed along the way,
as beginnings and ends interlace
along your earthly sojourn.
Truth is no respecter of persons.

Time and again,
you have to answer to redefine
— grappled with the essence for your being;
where you came from,
and what awaits you
as age or accident
separates you from the flesh.

… grappling with the essence for your being …
… grappling with the essence of being …
… groping for essence …